Minnesota Timberwolves vs Portland Trail Blazers Point Spread Picks

Minnesota has won both meetings this season, including easily covering the number 133-109 on Feb. 11. The Timberwolves have won three of four, although they look to bounce back from a loss to Philadelphia on Sunday. They ran into a buzz saw as the 76ers shot 57 percent on 3-point tries, hitting 21 of 37. Portland gave up 157 points to Denver and then allowed only 77 to Phoenix, although the Suns were missing three starters. The Trail Blazers have gone OVER six home games in a row, and seven of the past nine meetings have gone OVER. Portland is 1-5 ATS in its past six Tuesday games and 0-5 ATS overall as an underdog. The Trail Blazers are on an 8-1 OVER run overall. Minnesota has gone OVER five of six road games, and it has covered four of six against the Northwest Division. Take the Timberwolves to cover, and go big on the OVER.

Portland has won nine of 11 against Western Conference teams and is on a three-game win streak after defeating Philadelphia 135-118 on Monday night. Toumani Camara had 30 points on 10-of-12 shooting for the Trail Blazers, who took control with a 49-22 third quarter. The Blazers went 22 of 54 from 3-point range. Minnesota has lost three of five, though it comes off a 138-116 win over Atlanta. The Timberwolves have lost four of six against Northwest Division opponents. They have gone UNDER 14 of 18 home games and five of six Wednesday games overall. Portland has stayed UNDER nine road games in a row. It has won its past three games by an average of 14.7 points. I'm taking two shots here: Trail Blazers on the moneyline, and a unit on the UNDER. 

Each of these teams started slow last season, but finished strong. Minnesota has little to prove after making the Western Conference Finals in each of the previous two seasons. Portland is a home underdog, but has an impressive corps of players that went 23-18 in the second half of the season. Guard Shaedon Sharpe (18.5 ppg) and forward Deni Avdija (16.9 ppg, 7.3 rpg) are emerging stars, while 7-2 center Donovan Clingan (7.9 rebounds per game) was a dominant defensive force as a rookie. They also added another strong defensive player, guard Jrue Holiday, from the Celtics, so back the home dog. Play Portland.

Portland is on a tremendous 11-0 ATS run, and it has won six in a row and 10 of 11 outright after defeating Sacramento 108-102 on Thursday. Anfernee Simons scored 30 points for Portland, which held the Kings to 42 percent shooting after it held Indiana to just 89 points the game before. The Trail Blazers have won and covered both meetings this season, and they are 8-0 ATS with one day of rest. Minnesota has split its past four games, and it is playing its third game in four days. The Timberwolves are just 7-19 ATS at home this season and 1-7 ATS overall in their past eight Saturday games. Take the Trail Blazers.